Her Charming Heartbreaker

by Sonia Parin

  She scooped in a big breath and chuckled. “Oh, the tales we tell ourselves.”

  Well, she’d been looking for a third disastrous relationship. Now she had one. Not exactly a relationship, but close enough. It would have to do. From here on end, only good things could come her way.

  “Feel better now, Eddie?” She drew in a calming breath and pulled the breaks on her train of thought. There was only one way to go from here. Onward and upward, she thought deciding with a firm nod of her head to finally put her encounter with Theo behind her.

  * * *

  “Stop looking over your shoulder. Eddie’s not coming back,” Joyce said. “Now I’m going to have to apologize to her for butting my nose into something that’s none of my business, and it’s all your fault.”

  “You’re blaming me? What exactly did I do this time?”

  “Argh! You make me want to jab you on your chest with my favorite finger.” Joyce growled under her breath.

  “Your fav—”

  “This one,” she said pressing her index finger against his chest. “You made me say what she wouldn’t bring herself to say…” Jab. “…Because that’s the way Eddie is.” Jab. “She doesn’t like unnecessary confrontations.” She finished with a firm poke.

  “Are you talking about the same Eddie who used me for target practice?”

  “She did no such thing. You got in her way. You distracted her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have missed.”

  “I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies.”

  “I hate doing this. I’m a nice person and yes, I’m quoting from a movie and don’t lift your eyebrow at me. It’s not my fault if you trigger my wrathful side.”

  “Is your wrath perhaps slightly misplaced?” Bradford had been quick to say he and Joyce understood each other and stayed out of each other’s way. He’d sounded nonchalant, but there had been a hint of simmering...

  “What are you implying?” Joyce shook her head. “Don’t answer that and don’t change the subject. We’re talking about Eddie. She deserves better. She should have the best, then you come along and start stirring things up, and it could not have happened at the worst possible moment.”

  He gnawed at the inside of his lip. “I sort of know a little about that.”

  “It doesn’t help to talk about her behind her back.”

  He raised both hands in defense. “I didn’t prompt anyone to tell me about her private business. In fact, the information was forced on me and I politely listened.”

  “If you’re so considerate, why did you have to kiss Eddie? It’s not as if you’re free. And don’t try to deny it.”

  “You’ll have to take my word for it. There’s no one in my life.”

  “No one? I think you need to explain that to me. Remember, we just saw Ben off, and he’s someone. In fact, he’s living proof—”

  “I’m not his father.”

  “Pull the other one. He’s the spitting image of… mmm, let me think… Oh yes, you.”

  He shook his head.

  “Okay, if you’re not the father, then who is?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say.” He brushed his hands across his face. He had to say something. He couldn’t leave things as they were, with Eddie thinking he was involved with someone else when he wasn’t. “I’ll sort this out, somehow—”

  “It might be better if you left everything as it is. Is there any chance you might leave soon?”

  “I’m picking up an underlying message.”

  “How’s this for blunt. Please leave. And I mean that in the politest way possible. We’ve enjoyed having you around, but you’ve outstayed your welcome.”

  “Are you speaking for both you and Eddie?”

  “What do you think?”

  He refused to believe Eddie wanted to see the back of him. The prospect of leaving and never seeing her again turned his stomach to stone.

  “At least give her some breathing space.”

  Theo looked away, his gaze following the road. Ben had gone off on his trip. He wouldn’t be around to divert him with his constant chatter. And now Joyce was telling him... advising him to stay away from Eddie. That in turn meant staying away from Joyce’s café and the pub.

  He looked back at Joyce and hitched his hands on his hips. There had to be a way to continue enjoying Eddie’s company and...

  Theo raked his fingers through his hair. “What’s the worst that can happen if I don’t stay away?”

  Joyce glared at him. Then her features softened. “We’re all fond of you, Theo. Eddie in particular. Don’t break her heart.”

  Her heart? That meant…

  Did Eddie have feelings for him? “Is there an option B?” he asked, his tone cut to the chase crisp.

  “Yes. I can’t believe I’m going to say this.” She swore under her breath and shrugged. “Break her heart.”

  “You just told me not to break her heart. Be serious.”

  “I am. She wants a third disastrous relationship. Make her happy and give it to her.”

  Chapter Twelve

  After two days of relative peace and quiet, Eddie thought she’d won, overcoming the hamster pounding the wheel vicious cycle of thinking, but then her girly parts raised the alarm. She tried to ignore the little tug low in her belly, but as she locked her car and took a step toward the pub, her heart gave a jolting thump as if warning her of imminent disaster if she didn’t turn around.

  She looked down one end of the main street and then the other and then she spotted Theo looking into the store window of what used to be the local knitting wool and quilting supply store. It had exchanged hands a few years back but the new owners hadn’t managed to settle into the humdrum existence of Eden, and so they’d moved on. Twelve months down the track and the place remained empty, which made her wonder what Theo could find so enthralling.

  Do yourself a favor and keep walking, she told herself. She shrugged and turned back toward the pub but only got as far as the main entrance. Stopping again, she looked up and imagined raising a fisted hand in defiance of whatever evil being was pulling her strings and having a laugh at her expense.

  She crossed the street, her pace slow enough for her to come to her senses. The man should be free to wander around town without being stalked. And she should stop playing with the boundaries she’d put into place. Falling for another woman’s man had to be the worst fate anyone could endure.

  “Window shopping again? I thought you’d learned your lesson,” she said referring to the day he’d found her and Joyce peering inside Brilliant Baubles.

  When Theo turned and smiled, something inside her tensed and released, like a high tension wire suddenly coming undone, making her wobble on the spot.

  “I feel safe enough walking off lunch. Besides, if you girls want to rope me into being an accomplice in one of your little adventures, I’m sure there won’t be a rock big enough to hide under.”

  “I haven’t seen you at the pub lately.” In fact, it had been two whole days since she’d last caught sight of him, day or night. She’d moved from one moment to the next, pulled by her rising expectations. Any minute he’ll walk through the door, she’d thought. And then she’d settled for waiting for his unexpected arrival, losing herself in the moment, talking to one person and then another, hoping to be caught off guard. It had given her a taste of what to expect when he finally left.

  “I thought I’d try the bakery. Their pies are exceptional. And it’s good to have a place to fall back on in case I suddenly find I’m no longer welcomed at the pub,” he said not looking the slightest bit worried. Probably because he hadn’t been around and had no intention of ever going back to the pub, Eddie thought.

  “Okay, well… I guess I should… I need to get going.” She turned to leave. He was clearly trying to keep his distance and she should take a leaf from his book. Do her bit to maintain their new status quo.

  “Before you trot off.”

  “Mmm?”

  “Who handles rental pr
operties in the area?” he asked and nodded toward the building he’d been looking at.

  One of the prettiest ones in the street with lace awnings typical of the Victorian era.

  “Are you thinking of setting up shop?”

  “I’m only curious. Is there an agency in the area?” he asked.

  “There is, but the owners are currently on holidays. You could ask Tom Ellis about it. He’s the town lawyer. He should be able to point you in the right direction.” This time she managed to shift her feet. Not exactly progress when her feet weren’t even pointing in the right direction, but it was a start.

  “You look like you’ve been to Sunday service, but it’s only the middle of the week.”

  She gave her dress a light tug. “I’ve been to afternoon tea with Mrs. Larson. She likes to dress up for the occasion and always insists I wear a dress.” She shrugged. “I better push off.” If she lingered, she risked tempting fate. Joyce had been tight lipped about her conversation with Theo after she’d put her foot in it and had asked if Ben knew he was his father. As far as Eddie was concerned, she’d washed her hands off the subject when she’d walked away. She didn’t owe him an explanation or even an apology.

  * * *

  Make Eddie happy. Break her heart. Give her a third disastrous relationship.

  Third?

  Joyce had tried to explain the reasons for the odd suggestion. Theo supposed if he scraped off enough surfaces, he could get to the bottom and find the method in the madness. But he’d still struggle to understand it. No woman went into a relationship wanting to fail at it.

  He’d tried staying away from Eddie. While keeping his distance smacked of cowardice, he hadn’t trusted himself around her. Before she’d approached him on the street, he’d stopped to look at an empty shop as a way of diverting his attention from the fact he’d been making a beeline for the pub...

  “I should have asked for an option C.” There had to be one.

  “You’re holding a Lalique vase and grumbling under your breath,” Bradford murmured.

  Theo turned the vase in his hands. “This is a rare find. How did you come by it?”

  “My uncle was a hoarder. Every cent he earned he spent on traveling the world and hunting down antiques, which he was supposed to sell, but of course he didn’t because he couldn’t bear to part with them and you’re getting off the subject. Not that I care.”

  He watched Bradford skim through an old-fashioned ledger book. “It doesn’t have a price tag.”

  “It’s not for sale.”

  Theo sent his gaze skipping around the antique store. Everything he saw captured his attention and everything he missed on the first sweep eventually emerged like a precious discovery. “You had a soft spot for your uncle.”

  “He wouldn’t like it if I sold it.”

  “You don’t strike me as the long haul type of guy. If you don’t sell, how are you going to move on?”

  “Are you using me to work through your inner demons?” Bradford laughed and shook his head.

  Theo set down the vase and sat on what looked like a beautifully restored piece from the Georgian period with intricate scrollwork carved into the armrests and royal blue and gold striped upholstery.

  “You’ve been in Eden for a while. Have you ever dated one of the local girls?”

  “I’ve been too busy.”

  Theo brushed his hand across his chin. “Are you saying no one has caught your attention?” He shifted in his seat. “Let me rephrase that. What if someone catches—”

  “Not going to happen.”

  “But, if—”

  “It’s not going to happen because they’re too smart and they’ve read the warning sign.”

  “That’s just a frown.”

  “To you, but to them,” Bradford pointed to his forehead, “It spells danger in capital letters.” He closed the ledger book. “Don’t tell me you’ve done something stupid like fall in love.”

  He hadn’t given himself the chance to do that. The only time he’d ever come close he’d ended up being second best. “I’m nowhere near that state of mind.” But his body was happy to dabble... test the waters... For now, both he and Eddie were in the same place, at the same time. Both available. Both responsive.

  “Someone didn’t follow my advice. Are the girls playing mind games with you?”

  Theo had no business becoming involved with Eddie. He’d come to Eden with a purpose in mind. Now that it had been sorted out, he should be moving on. Instead...

  What if he took Ben out of the equation? He would’ve been on his way back—

  Home?

  He didn’t have a home.

  He had places where he stayed at out of necessity.

  “The girls are playing by their own rules and probably making them up as they go, so I’m not sure where I stand with them. I figured if I keep to myself...” he brushed his hand across his face. “They’re bound to tell me if I’m doing something wrong soon enough.” After giving him a piece of her mind, Joyce hadn’t banned him from the café, but she was practicing economy with her conversation. And while Eddie had approached him for a chat, she’d been brief...

  “Let me know how you go with that.”

  “You sound skeptical.”

  Bradford lifted an eyebrow.

  “What would you do in my place?”

  “You’re beyond saving now. If I’d caught you in time, I would have suggested taking the bull by the horns. Draw the line before they do it for you.”

  “They haven’t emasculated me... yet.”

  “Like I said, let me know how you go. Okay, I’m done here,” Bradford said. “Time to start thinking about dinner. Are you interested?”

  “I’m trying to stay away from the pub.”

  Bradford shrugged. “The Copper Pot does good stews and pasta. It’s the only other option for dinner.”

  “Sounds good. I’ve been meaning to try it.”

  * * *

  “You’re off with the fairies.”

  Eddie usually looked forward to having dinner with Mrs. Larson’s grandson, Jimmy. He could always talk her ear off with news about his comings and goings in Melbourne, his latest love interest, and the many subliminal messages he wove into the conversation suggesting ways for her to improve her non-existent dress style.

  “Sorry, my thoughts are in the clouds.” She picked up the menu, and then set it down again. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  Jimmy leaned toward her and took her hands. “Man trouble is better than no trouble.”

  “Joyce said something along those lines. She’s green with envy because I’m daydreaming about someone. Never mind that he’s not available.”

  “There’s something dreadfully capricious about attraction and sexual chemistry. They always strike at the oddest, and at times, most inconvenient moments. But you take what you can get because they’re both rare but vital commodities. And if at the end of the day you have to settle for daydreaming...” he shrugged, “We take what we can get.”

  “There has to be an alternative.”

  Jimmy patted her hand. “There is. It’s called settling for a mundane life with no heart thumping excitement.” He smiled. “Actually, there’s a better alternative. Find someone else. And here’s your chance. In fact, two golden opportunities just walked through the door. Remember to peer over your shoulder discreetly and be warned, they are both mouth wateringly delish. Now, on the count of three, tip your head back and laugh at something delightfully funny and slant your gaze to the right, your right not mine.”

  Eddie didn’t want to look, not while her body and her mind remained filled to capacity with thoughts of Theo. Even thinking about him made the pit of her stomach quiver. Eddie’s attraction wasn’t capricious, it was downright finicky and it worked in deranged ways. The couple of men she’d been involved with in long-term relationships hadn’t exactly been God’s gift to women, lacking the essential wow factor in the looks department. While she didn’t want to think
too long and hard about her attraction to Theo, she knew it had a lot to do with their verbal exchanges. As for his looks…

  They made her legs wobble.

  She took a sip of her ice-cold water but it did nothing to put out the heat blazing through her. Sighing, Eddie did as she was told only to sink into her chair.

  “Something tells me you don’t care for what you see.”

  “It’s him.”

  “Him? Which one? The one who looks like he stepped off a Times Square billboard advertisement or the one about to set off on safari?”

  She gave a small, misery filled nod. “The well dressed one.”

  “It’s safe. You can come up for air again. They’ve settled at a table in the opposite corner, and... Hang on a sec. Oh, that’s interesting.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t look.”

  “You’re making it difficult for me not to. What’s happening?”

  “I’m being assessed. The man in question is giving me the head to toe scouring look. I believe I’m being tagged as competition and that hasn’t happened since the third grade when Quentin Reed caught me holding hands with the girl he liked.”

  “Be serious.” She should at least turn and wave hello. Then again, he’d seen her first, so he should have come over…

  “I can see why you have a problem. You say he’s with another woman yet he just marked his territory and gave me the look that threatens serious repercussions if I don’t back off.” Jimmy raised his glass of wine in a mock salute. “When did Eden become so interesting? I might have to postpone my departure...”

  “Oh, would you?” She sat forward. “Sophie’s wedding is just around the corner and the sooner I can land a date for it, the better. Sitting at the singles table is turning into the walk of shame for me.”